Cancer Care Infusion RN

Northern Light Mercy Hospital

Department: Outpatient Cancer Care and Infusion

Position(s) is located: Portland, Maine

Work Type: Full Time / 32-40 hours per week / Clinic Hours are Mon-Fri  7:45 AM to 4:45 PM

Requirements: 

• High School Diploma/GED
• Valid Maine RN License (Or Eligible)
• 3 years Nursing Experience Required
• Excellent Intravenous access skills needed
• Current ONS Chemotherapy Immunotherapy Provider Card preferred, or need to attain within 6 months of hire

Summary:  We are seeking a highly skilled and compassionate Registered Nurse to join our experienced and established Cancer Care and Infusion team at Mercy Hospital Portland, Maine. As an infusion nurse, you will have the opportunity to collaborate with a multidisciplinary team of healthcare professionals to provide exceptional care that is patient-centered, compassionate, inspiring, and motivating. The successful candidate will provide direct and indirect care for patients with a cancer, hematology, or other chronic diagnosis requiring infusion services or support care. The RN will administer chemotherapy, biotherapy, immunotherapy drugs, blood products, as well as non-oncology infusions according to the Rules and Regulations defined in the State of Maine Nurse Practice Act, Northern Light Health Standards of Care/Practice, policies, and procedures. The successful candidate will cross cover the nurse navigator position in the practice, triaging calls, providing individualized guidance to patients, families, and caregivers to facilitate appropriate and timely quality health and psychosocial care throughout all phases of the cancer continuum.  In each role the nurse exercises independent judgment to assess the physical, emotional, and educational needs of the patient, and collaborate with the health care team in coordinating the plan of care.

Northern Light Health Mercy Cancer Care and Infusion we understand that cancer is personal, our commitment to excellence in cancer care has been recognized by continuous accreditation from the American College of Surgeons Commission on Caner, and QOPI certification from the American Society of Clinical Oncology.  We are proud to be an adult oncology member of the Dana-Farber Cancer Care Collaborative. 

Primary Responsibilities

• Support patient-centered care with sensitivity and respect for the diversity of human experience.
• Assume nursing care responsibilities for a defined group of patients within the program, including but not limited to assessment, education, coordination, and documentation.
• Provide direct nursing care for patients primarily in the administration of chemotherapy/Immunotherapy/Biotherapy and related oncologic therapies and supportive medications.
• Educate patients and families regarding the side effects of chemotherapy/biotherapy and the oncology disease process.
• Perform venipuncture, injections and IV therapy (IV starts, PICC line/Port Access) utilizing aseptic technique.
• Provide continuous nursing assessments of patients' physical and emotional needs and corresponding therapeutic interventions.
• Deliver care and create a therapeutic environment for patients and families whose needs range from basic to complex by utilizing the nursing process.
• Acts as a liaison between the patients, families and caregivers and the providers to optimize patient outcomes.
• Collaborates with interdisciplinary team members to identify potential barriers and variances to the plan of care.
• Administers and/or monitors blood and blood products following hospital policy and procedures.
• Cross Train to Nurse Navigation for periodic coverage
• Answers and triages patient calls and calls from internal and external members of the care team.

Qualifications / Skills

• Chemotherapy & Biotherapy Provider card certification, through the Oncology Nursing Society at hire or have ability to obtain within 6 months of hire is required.
• Basic Life Support Upon Hire Required
• Licensed RN in good standing
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Strong IV skills

Experience 

• 3 years inpatient, med/surg or acute care experience; oncology experience inpatient or ambulatory infusion clinic preferred,
• Intravenous access experience (peripheral, implanted ports, PICC lines)
• Administration of chemotherapy/Immunotherapy/Biotherapy preferred.